Overview

The third case in the compelling Boy Sherlock Holmes series is full of as many twists and turns as the backstreets of Victorian London.

When a wealthy young girl vanishes as if by magic in Hyde Park, Sherlock is once again driven to prove himself. In a heart-stopping race against time, an innocent boy’s survival depends on Sherlock’s ability to solve the mysterious puzzle of the Vanishing Girl. As complex as the maze that protects the missing girl’s hiding place, this case takes...

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Overview

The third case in the compelling Boy Sherlock Holmes series is full of as many twists and turns as the backstreets of Victorian London.

When a wealthy young girl vanishes as if by magic in Hyde Park, Sherlock is once again driven to prove himself. In a heart-stopping race against time, an innocent boy’s survival depends on Sherlock’s ability to solve the mysterious puzzle of the Vanishing Girl. As complex as the maze that protects the missing girl’s hiding place, this case takes Sherlock racing to the countryside, the coast, and into the lair of a menagerie of exotic, dangerous creatures.

Haunted by memories of his shattered family, goaded by his enemies, driven to heal the fragile relationship between him and the beautiful Irene Doyle, Sherlock makes an almost fatal mistake. In the end, his brilliant powers of deduction and the steadfast eccentric Sigerson Bell save the day. Soon, very soon, the world will come to know him as the master detective of all time.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Eye Of The Crow:
“…the first intriguing volume in an ambitious new series…. plenty of readers will… find themselves irresistibly drawn into his thrilling adventures.”
— Booklist, Starred review

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—The 14-year-old daughter of Lord Rathbone has been abducted, and no word has been heard from her captors in more than two months. Ever curious, Holmes is ready to spring into action when the ransom note finally arrives and is read publicly by a Scotland Yard inspector. Largely on his own, the young detective seemingly finds the girl and solves the case within a matter of hours. In typical Holmesian fashion, however, things are not always as they seem. Mistaken identity, double crossing, and the superstitions of the common folk all make the mystery stay out of reach for longer than the sleuth would like. The boy Holmes is, in general, more likable than his adult counterpart; he is less pompous, more connected to his impoverished roots. However, like the elder Holmes, it is ambition more than altruism that drives him to find the girl. Fast paced and filled with clues readers can follow, this is a fun read.—Nora G. Murphy, Los Angeles Academy Middle School

Children's Literature
- Kathleen Karr

In the spirit of the successful "Young James Bond" books, Shane Peacock weighs in with his "The Boy Sherlock Holmes" series. The Canadian series proves to be as successful in channeling Arthur Conan Doyle's adolescent Holmes as the former was in recreating Ian Fleming's spy-in-the-making. Freud would be ecstatic finding the roots of Sherlock's secretiveness, opium habit, and ambivalence about the female sex. Yes, in "His 3rd Case," the clever Peacock manages all of this within the bounds of a simple heiress kidnapping. The story also gives him the opportunity to have some fun with young Sherlock's bete noir, Arthur Doyle (!), and his daughter Irene, namesake of the adult Holmes' one known love. While an amusing read for adults familiar with the original series, the story also has enough action for middle school readers new to the detective. When Sherlock isn't busy examining his navel, he's hopping trains all over England, fending off prototypes of the hounds of the Baskervilles, and fighting the same London street thugs that later become his Baker Street Irregulars. As an added bonus, the book is handsomely designed. The reverse of its peek-a-boo wrapper has a partial map of London and a colorful laminated book cover. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr

Related Subjects

Meet the Author

Shane Peacock was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and grew up in Kapuskasing. A biographer, journalist, and screenwriter, he is also the author of several novels and plays. He has received many honors for his writing, including the prestigious Arthur Ellis Award for Eye of the Crow, the first of his Boy Sherlock Holmes series. Shane Peacock lives with his wife and three children near Cobourg, Ontario.

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Excellent introduction to Young Holmes; great story, great mystery

It is quickly apparent why Peacock's works have won him several awards. Vanishing Girl is the third in a young adult series establishing Sherlock Holmes' detective career and prowess. I had not read the first two when I received this book. Although it would have added a little bit of clarity to the past referenced throughout, it is certainly not necessary to have read the other books before enjoying the third.

In Vanishing Girl, Holmes attempts to beat Scotland Yard to the solution of the kidnapping and burglary crimes. In the process of discovering the answers and solving the riddles, Holmes learns more about himself as a young man, as a friend, and as a detective. He employs many of the technical skills he has begun to learn to solve the crimes, but the real reward arrives when he learns what kind of person he will choose to be.

Peacock weaves a believable and solvable mystery around a great story of a young man with a troubled past and a complicated future. I was drawn into the mystery and its facets, but I was even more taken by Holmes, his guardian Bell, his friend Irene, and all of the minor characters that plotted the story. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series.

Highly recommended for all young adult readers, mystery readers, and Holmes fans.

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